Wayne meets Cheech and Chong

Hey Man! He's not an Indian man!

Richard Marin and Tommy Chong arrived in a RV/Production studio/Day lounge at the CSS Recording Studios parking lot, Las Vegas NV, in the early 1980's.

Their concert master, Gay Delorme, had come to town to cut tracks for their up coming movie. In through the commercial steel door leading to the parking lot came Richard and Tommy. Richard was quiet, attentive and listening to everything. Tommy was a production dynamo. He was directing and on top of every aspect of our session.

As they traversed the airlock doors between the control room and studio, you could see Richard and Tommy transform into Cheech and Chong.

 Jimmy Root was our connection to "the boys". Jim was also Wayne Newton's sound engineer at the Sands Hotel in Las Vegas ...where Wayne was playing. "The Boys" said ..."hey, that sounds like fun ...let's go see Jimmy's show."





After the session the entire production crew went to a Chinese restaurant with Richard and Tommy. After our meal, when we were seated in the Coppa Show Room at the Sands Hotel, ...Cheech and Chong returned.

The Coppa Show room set the standard for a world class showroom. Jimmy reserved a booth for us front and center. When the curtains opened a large feather hanging over the stage spanning two thirds its length was revealed.

The band started and Wayne entered singing his theme song. At the songs conclusion and at the moment of silence between song and applause Cheech yells "...Hey man! He's not an Indian man!" Chong yells back "...yes he is man, see the feather".

Jimmy saved his job by having a spot light hit our booth. Wayne, stunned, recovered and said "You never know who'll show up in the Coppa.  Cheech and Chong ladies and gentleman."

Some giants don't like surprises.